Q.Write a short note on: Bio-diversity

Bio-diversity is the variety of all living organisms - the range of species, their genetic variation and the variety of ecosystems. It sustains ecological balance and provides food, medicines and raw materials, so its conservation is vital.

This is a 2-mark short note in AP Intermediate 2nd year Economics, part of the environment theme, treated in line with the NCERT/CBSE curriculum.

Meaning. Bio-diversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the enormous variety and variability of living organisms found on earth. It has three aspects: the variety of different species of plants, animals and micro-organisms (species diversity); the genetic variation that exists within each species (genetic diversity); and the variety of different ecosystems or natural habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands and oceans (ecosystem diversity). Bio-diversity is important because it maintains the ecological balance, keeps natural cycles going, and supplies human beings with food, medicines, timber, fibres and many other resources. The loss of bio-diversity through deforestation, pollut …